Murder Mystery returns to Cronquist House

The 1920’s have made their return to Red Deer this month with an open invitation to the Cronquist House for the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner Party on Aug. 9th and 16th.

For the cost of $40, which includes cocktails, appetizers, dinner, desserts, coffee and the chance to hone your detective skills, you will be blasted to the past to try to discover who committed a heinous murder, organizers say.

Those wishing to join must pre-register with the Cronquist House, at which time they will be given a character for the evening that they will play.

“You can come in and see us and get your character ahead of time,” said Sarah Fergusson, summer events coordinator for the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society.

“That way you’ll have your costume prepared and ready to go for the evening of the Murder Mystery.”

This particular plot was chosen by Fergusson and Delores Coghill, manager of the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, for the time period in which the event takes place and its location in a haunted 1920’s mansion.

With the history based around the Cronquist House, including rumours of spirits of Emmanuel and Elias Cronquist and others in period dress said to live in the house that was originally built in 1911, it was a perfect fit.

“People will get their first envelope before dinner in which it will say who they should suspect, then after the murder will happen and people must begin to try to figure out who did it,” said Fergusson.

“Then after the third round, people begin to speculate, they’ll be having coffee and dessert and they will begin to turn against each other until they find out who the murderer is.”

The plot takes twists and turns as the owners of the ‘haunted mansion’ invite important members of the community to stay at their newly reopened bed and breakfast that was previously shut down for an unusually large volume of paranormal activities.

After the guests arrive, the owners are then mysteriously called away to tend to other matters, leaving their guests at the mercy of the haunted house and in the throws of a murderous adventure.

“We hope people get really into it, and hope for a lot of ad-libbing and a lot of fun,” said Coghill. “People don’t have dinner parties or throw grand balls any more, so to have something that people can get dressed up for and come down and participate in is very exciting and a great way to meet new people.”

To purchase a ticket for the Murder Mystery Dinner Party, visit the Cronquist House between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or call 403-346–0055.